Fulham's American striker Brian McBride, who started the season as captain of the English Premier League club, is expected to be sidelined for up two four months. McBride, who retired from the U.S. national team after the 2006 World Cup, suffered a dislocated knee cap after scoring for Fulham on Saturday and has undergone surgery.

"We expect him to be out until Christmas," said Fulham coach Lawrie Sanchez said. "He is captain, he is a center forward who wins a lot in the air and is a big presence in the dressing room. So he is quite a big loss for us."